Wallace, Nielsen named to All-GNAC teams

BOSTON, MA -- For the second straight season, Courtney Wallace and Kayla Nielsen have been named to the All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference First and Third Teams, respectively, the league announced Saturday.

For Wallace, the honor marks a record fourth consecutive season as the league's best backstop. Perhaps the GNAC's dominant offensive force of her era, the catcher ranked among the Top 5 in the conference with a .461 batting average, eight home runs and a robust .910 slugging percentage, good for eighth nationally.

On Tuesday, Wallace (left), who also spent time at third base and center field as a senior, became Pine Manor's all-time hits leader in a 10-3 win over Emmanuel. Later that night, she passed the 200-hit milestone, ending her storied career in Chestnut Hill with 201.

Nielsen, meanwhile, enjoyed a breakout sophomore season. After missing the entire non-conference schedule with a foot injury, the catcher-infielder emerged as the perfect compliment to Wallace in GNAC play.

In 20 league games, Nielsen (right) tallied 20 hits, 12 of which went for extra bases, good for a .698 slugging percentage. Her six home runs place her in the Top 5 in the league and came in only 63 at-bats, which was enough for placement among the GNAC's best according to the league's coaches.

Freshman pitcher Tia Nelson was named to the league's All-Sportsmanship Team. Nelson, who also played third base, led the team and ranked among the league leaders with 143 2/3 innings pitched.

Rivier College won the league championship Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 win over Emerson. Monica White, starting pitcher for Rivier, was named GNAC Player of the Year.